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A Kingdom Shaker’s Journey (Part Two)

Samantha Allgood recently spent an extended time at GNPI-SE Asia where she helped with some English translation projects. Samantha gained some valuable insights into the culture. Regional Director TP explains how he started in ministry and why he began to partner with GNPI. Please click here to see A Kingdom Shaker’s Journey (Part One).

by Guest Blogger, Samantha Allgood, a student in British Columbia at the Canadian Institute of Linguistics.

TP began his evangelism work in 1993. “I just shared what I knew,” he says in a simple, matter-of-fact way. At the time, he began his studies at a Bible Institute in SE Asia, while his wife and family of three years remained in one of the northern towns. Previously, TP studied at a regional college (1979-1981) and and a university (1982-1986), where he majored in zoology and was a top student and organization leader within his student body. To continue at the Bible college, he quit his current job as a state-appointed high school teacher and volunteer middle school teacher where he taught biology, science, and English. He was supported financially by another family and the help of a Christian ministry. This was a blessing since TP no longer had any income and spent the leisure time he had outside of school evangelizing surrounding villages on his bicycle, with the help of a few friends. Within two years, thirty Buddhists had turned from their old ways to accept Christ as Lord and Savior through TP’s faithful witness.

However, TP wasn’t satisfied. He wanted new ways to reach more people more effectively.“Oh Lord, the way I’m evangelizing is impossible to influence this country,” he cried out. Quietly, in his heart, TP prayed for a way to evangelize more than 10,000 times what he was currently capable of with what he had. Some years later, after holding his own teaching posts at two colleges, then furthering his biblical study in Ohio at Cincinnati Christian University, God answered the prayer of his heart. The Lord opened a door for TP to partner with Good News Productions International (GNPI) in running the GNPI-SE Asia production studio where he had full access to the creation of the evangelism materials that would indeed reach 10,000 times the eyes and ears of his previous ministry.

TP first met the director of GNPI while crossing paths at a missions conference in Thailand. “I believe God chose me,” TP shares, as he reflected upon his gratitude to be selected by GNPI. They joined in the shared vision, and via GNPI, TP has since completed over 100 projects. Most are evangelism tools in Burmese – including charts, tracts, and published books – while others involve the testimonies and Gospel songs for 29 tribal languages within SE Asia.

“That is the most effective way to spread the Gospel. Through this Gospel, this nation will transform,” TP explains of the material production and their distribution/training plans. “Through this work, God will transform people. If people hear this personally, the Holy Spirit [will] start working effectively, and they will stop giving food to the monks, they will stop trusting monks … if SE Asia will transform, the other nations will see us.” TP references the fact that this region is the leader among the Theravada Buddhist countries.

Though, as in every work, “There are temptations,” TP notes. “God opened the door to move our family to the United States after 2000,” he reflects. An opportunity most would jump at proved a difficult decision for TP. He was “praying and thinking, praying and thinking, should we move or not…?” He knew of the comforts and amazing opportunities that awaited in the States, even very fruitful opportunities for ministry, and he also knew of the benefits for his children. Yet it came down to the fact that God had entrusted him with the ministry he had prayed for in SE Asia, the one that had burned in his heart. “My heart was [at] peace and convinced, we should not move,” he decided. He knew where he needed to stay.

As TP continues the great harvest in SE Asia, he invites your prayers for continued revival, for provision for the necessary resources and funds for his studio work, and for more Christians to join in this task. “God listened to my prayers … God fulfilled my prayers,” TP reflects in gratitude. The great God we serve together as laborers in the harvest will surely delight in harkening unto your prayers too.